Quenching apparatus



2 Shets-Sheet l I ZSnventor JAMES WE'IAERETT Nov. 3, 1953 J. w. GARRETTQUENCHING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 27, 1947 71.3 x! 'btilx... 11

attorneg NOV. 3, 1953 I J, w, GARRETT 2,657,698

QUENCHING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 27, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 39 1/ A j! L 65I if I m v l I ,&

E A Imventor J; A JAMES W. BARRETT [a nm Gttorneg Patented Nov. 3, 1953Selas' Germination of America, Philadelphia, Pa a corporation ofPennsylvania Application August 27, 1947, Serial N 0-. 7 76,785

(01. rat-1w 6 claims.

The present inventionreiates to apparatus for use in the heat treatingof metals, and more par ticularly' to apparatus that used for quenchingBar or tube stock as it"emerge's from a furnace inwhich it has been'heated. It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus whichwiil' spray a solid sheet of water, or other quenching medium, over theentire surface of a iece of work as it leaves afurnace in which it hasbeen heated. It is a further object of the invention to provide aquenching apparatus that is shaped to conform to the surface of a pieceof work so that a sheet of quenching medium may be sprayed evenly overthe entire surface of the work as it is passing from a furnace.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a quenching apparatusfor use in progressively and evenly quenching cylindrical workpieces asthey emerge from a furnace in which they have been heated. It is afurther object of the invention to provide a quenching apparatus of thetype mentioned above in which the volume of quenching medium dischargedtherefrom may varied. easily as occasion demands. 7 g

In modern metal heating ractice it is customary to heat continuouslybar's, tubes and. sheets" in a furnace and to quench them as they issuetherefrom. The quenching apparatus or'd'inaril'y' used for this type ofwork is supplied with a pl urality of small openings through which thequenching medium, usually water,. is forced; From time to time theseopenings heeome clogged so that the spray pattern lacks uniformity. Thisresults in non-uniform quenching and consequent warping of theworkpieces.

The quenching apparatus of the present invention is designed to supply asolid sheet of the quenching. material around the workpieces, the volumeof which may easily be varied as desired: depending upon the dimensionsand temperature of the work. The apparatus is disclosed as beingdesigned for use with a cylindrical piece .oiworls which will bereferred to herein as a tube, although it will be obvious that it couldbe so shaped that sheets. or other forms of metal could be quenchedequally as well. Also, for sake of convenience. the quenching mediumwill be referred to as water, since this is most. commonly used Thevarious features ofnovelty which characteri'ze my invention are pointedoutwithparticu larity in the claims annexed to and forminga part of thisspecification. For a better under-.- standingof the invention, however,its advan-v tage's; and specific; ohjects attained withii'ts usereference should be had to the aooompanyirig 2 drawings and descriptivematter in which I- have illustrated and described a preferredembov-dirrient of the invention In the drawings:

Fig-ure- 1 is afront View of the quenching app'a ratus' and a portion ofsu porting mechanism.

Figure 2 isaseetioh' taken on line- 2-2 oi lii ure 1 and Figures 3, 4-and 5 are views similar to Figure 2 showing different forms that thequenching appa raitu's may take.

The a paratusof' the present invention takes the form of a hollow ringwhich is mounted closely adjacent the exit of afurnace. the work, inthis case a tube or rod, emerges from the furnace it passes directlythrough the ring and while so assing is sprayed on its entire surfacewith a sheet of water. Thus the tube is quenched immediately andentirely before the surface can become oxidized. The apparatus; one formconsists of a body portion H, which is mounted in a suitable frame H bymeans of bolts is that extend through the frame and through openingsformedin suitable surfaces onthe body. supportis rovided with out warmlyextendin shafts l4 that are mounted any suitable type of apparatus bymeans of which the body" can be adiustabiy' mounted so that it may bepositioned? with its opening exactly omcentric' the exit of the"furnace. Body H is preferably a casting of brass or some othernoncorrosive material and is formed; with a radialflange rs whichterminates in a sharpedge [6 that extends in a generally axia'idirection corresspon'ding to the direction of tube travel. The annularbody portion is formed with internal threads into which is threaded anihsert H which has a flange projecting rearwardly toward the flange Itor the body, The insert is preferably a casting and is provided withlugs l that form handles; whereby the ihfseft may be" rotated withrespect to the body".-

As shown best in Figure 2 of the drawings, the loody'arrd' the insertare so formed that an annular ch'amoer' 2lis made between the two parts.In order that this chamber is pressure tight, a circular" Washer 22 ofleather, or other suitable material, fastened to the insert and. is heldin position by a retainihg-ring 23 and bolts 24.

The insert has, machined; surfaces 2 5' and 26' that mate withcomplementary surfaces of an annular casting 2T. casting is fastened tothe insert f'l' by bolts 28" extending through the two parts and agasket 29 that is provided so that a pressure tight joint is formed: Theinner endof flange I8 is curved as shown at 3|, and this curve mergesinto a generally conical surface forming a continuation thereof on thecasting 21, as is shown at 32 in the drawing. The surface 32 continuesuntil it terminates at a sharp edge 33, the inner surface of whichsubstantially axial. Surfaces 3| and 32 cooperate with a complementar'ysurface 34 on the inside of flange l to form a throat or passage 35through which the water is forced against a tube passing through thedevice. The inner edge of the throat adjacent chamber 2! is slightlywider than the outer end thereof so that water passing through thisthroat increases in pressure and velocity as it travels toward the work.

Chamber 2| is provided with inlets 36 and 3'! through either or both ofwhich a quenching medium, which in this case is water, may be forcedunder pressure. The water in the chamber leaves the same at highvelocity through throat 35. In order to prevent turbulence and to insurean even flow around the circumference of the throat there is provided anannular flange 38 in the chamber so that water coming in through apassage that leads directly to the throat. It will be noted that thepassage is wider than and forms an entrance for the throat so that thereis no turbulence in the flow and so that the water pressure and velocityare continually increased between the inlet and the exit. a

The upper part of the body II is provided with an opening in which thereis placed a bushing 39 that has a test cock 4| threaded into its uppersurface. Mounted above the test cock is a pressure gauge 42.

In the operation of the device, a tube T leaving a furnace as shown inthe dash lines in Figure 2 of the drawing will be moving toward theleft. As the tube passes through the annular opening in the device waterwill be sprayed upon it in a solid conical sheet through throat 35. Thepressure of this water is maintained so that there will be an even flowaround the entire circumference of the throat and therefore, there willbe an even quenching action throughout the entire surface of the tube toprevent possible warping thereof due to uneven cooling. The angle withwhich surface 32 is formed from edge 16 at the exit of the throat untilit is substantially parallel to the tube at its outer end 33 is suchthat the water will tend to cling to this surface as it is forcedthrough the throat. Edge 56 is formed as a sharp edge so that the waterwill not tend to be drawn around it and drip vertically against thetube. and pressure will converge toward the surface of the tube and thelatter will be received in a substantially cylindrical body of waterthat meets the tube along a line perpendicular to its axis. Cooling ofthe tube will take place on a substantial line contact that moves alongthe length of the tube as it is travelling from the furnace.

The amount of water that is necessary to quench properly the tube isdependent upon the temperature to which the tube has been heated andupon its dimensions. For example, a solid rod will have more heat energyin it than will a tubular body of equal diameter, therefore, the rodwill require a larger volume of water for proper quenching than will thetube. This variation in volume that is necessary due to dimensional andtemperature differences in the type of work that is being quenched mayeasily be adjusted by rotating the insert l8 and casting 21 with respectto the body portion ll. As the Therefore Water under high velocity 4insert is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction in Figure 1 of thedrawing, the thickness of the throat 35 will be increased withoutchanging its shape, and the increase in thickness will permit a largervolume of Water to be forced against the surface of the tube.

Another advantage obtained by making parts II and I1 axially adjustableis the ease with which the throat or passage 35 may be cleared ofobstruction. From time to time during the use of the device,particularly if unfiltered water is used, small particles of dirt maybecome lodged in passage 35. This will cause the spray pattern to becomeuneven with consequent uneven quenching of the work. In order todislodge the particles from the passage it is only necessary to movepart I! axially relative to part II to increase the passage thickness.When the dirt has been flushed out of the pasasge, it can be reduced toits proper size.

In order for the apparatus to work at peak efficiency the inner diameterof the opening in casting 27 must be such that there is only a smallannular space between edge 33 and the surface of the tube. Therefore,for work of different diameters, a different size opening should beused. It is for this reason that the casting 21 is made separate fromthe insert I1. When work of a different diameter is to be quenched, itis merely necessary to remove the casting 2'! by removing bolts 28 andanother casting of the proper diameter can be inserted in the device.When in operation, however, parts II and 21 can be considered a singlestructural element. Thus, it will be seen that there is providedapparatus for forcing against a tube at high velocity the proper amountof quenching water for the type and size of tube that is to be quenchedand for the temperature of the tube.

The embodiment in Figure 3 of the drawing is similar to that of Figures1 and 2 and like reference numerals will be used for like parts in thedescription thereof. This embodiment differs from that of Figures 1 and2 rincipally in the use of a single part to form the insert and thecasting having surface 32, as is shown at Ila in the drawing. Such aconstruction is lighter than that disclosed in Figure 1 and for thisreason may be desirable. Also with a construction of this type a largerchamber 2| may be obtained. It is noted that an opening is made in thebottom of chamber 2| that is closed with a plug 46. This opening can beused for draining the chamber of sediment which will accumulate fromtime to time if the water is not filtered. An increase in the size ofthis chamber has a tendency to help decrease the turbulence in the flowof water through the chamber and throat 35 onto the work. Adjustment ofinsert Ila. relative to the body II to change the size of the throat isobtained in this embodiment by means of a hand wheel 45 that is suitablyfastened to the front of the insert.

The operation of the quenching apparatus of this embodiment is exactlythe same as that of the embodiment previously described. It is noted,however, that this particular embodiment would be designed for a givensize tube and in order to change the apparatus from one size tube toanother it will be necessary to supply another insert assembly. 7

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4 of thedrawing. This embodiment however, is exactly the same as thosepreviously described with respect to the manner in which throat 35through whichthe uenchrlng fluid flows is shaped. The embodiment differsfrom thepreviously described embodiments in the-marrner which the partsare assembled. As shown in Figure 4 there is provided a body it that hasformed as a part thereof a radially extending flange'SZ, the inwardendof which is formed with edge it as was the casein the previouslydescribed embodiments. Fastened; to the body-5 lbysorews- 54 is a 53which-ringserves tohold in place the outer edge of a flexible diaphragm55, the inner" end of which is fastened any-'- suitable manner, such asby soldering; to a casting 56 This casting is formedwith a cylindri'calsurface 5-! that is slidably received guides 52 which extend forwardlyfrom the flange 52. 'I'hus-g-w-hen the parts are assembled, throat isformal-between surfaces on the endof casting 5G and on flange 52. Thesesurfaces are curved so that there will be a smooth flow of waterbetweenthem. Normally casting- 55 is biased by means of spring 5d away--from the'b'od'y 5 ina direction to enlarge the throat. One end of thespring? is supported by a shoulder formed on the inside of the casting56 and bears against the diaphragrmfii The otherend of this spring bearsagainst a shoulder formed. in flange. 52 just outside of the" projectionfrom that flange upon which the supports 58 are formed.

m orderto adjust the size of the throat, there is provided a hand wheel6| that has threads on its outer surface which are received by threadson the interior of ring 53. This hand wheel'has at i'lange 62 thatengages a shoulder 63 of the insert, Therefore, as the hand. wheel isrotated relative to the insert, the latter will be forced to; the; rightby the action of the hand wheel or will be moved to the left by theaction of spring 5a. Because of the action of spring 59 there will be nolost. motion between, the: parts so that the throat 35 will stay at thedimension to which it is adjusted. It is noted that the pressure of thewater in chamber 2| acts in the same direction as the spring so thatwhen the device is in operation this force also tends to keep the partsrigidly in their adjusted position. In this case an inlet 64 for thewater is shown in the bottom of the chamber 2| instead of the topthereof as in the previously described embodiments and there is anopening 65 provided in the top to which the test cock and pressure gaugemay be'attached. Whether the supply opening is in the top or in thebottom of chamber 2| is a matter of choice and convenience. This will bedetermined mainly by the easiest way of leading supply pipes thereto. Inany event, chamber 21 is kept full of water due to the factthat thiswater is supplied in such volume under such a pressure that the volumeleaving the chamber through the throat 35 will never be sufficient topermit the chamber to become partially empty.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figure 5 differs from theothers in that the size of the throat is not adjustable after the devicehas been assembled. In this case there is provided a tubular body H thathas as a part thereof or attached thereto a conical member 12 whichcomprises the outer portion of the throat. This member is provided witha surface 13 that merges into a tubular portion 14 forming the outerpart of the throat. The inner part of the throat consists of a bevelledsurface 15 on the end of a tubular member 16. The tubular member issupported in proper spaced relation to cone I2 by means of a disc 11that is attached by bolts 18 to afiange formed on the body. In this casethe width of the throat 35 is determined by the thiclh of a gasket 19which is placed between a flange on body H and the disc TL Therefore,after the proper thickness of the throat has been determined a gasket ofthe right thickness will be inserted and the parts bolted together. Inorder to disassemble the device the bolts and the gasketmust be removed.

-ch-anrber 8G, a which is supplied with water through an inlet- 82, hasin it, adjacent the end thereof toward thethroat', a ring M which restricts the path of flow of the water. This fastened toa shoulder on theconical member 12' and serves to reduce turbulence of the water and alsoto increase its pressure as it flows from the inlet through the outlet.

This embodiment of the invention operates exactly the same fashionasthose previously dc scribed. Water is supplied under pressurethrough theinlet 82 and passes through chamber 85, to the throat between surfaces13 and 15 The water passes to the outer surface of the which is goingthrough the tubular member [6 and serves toquenchthe work.

the above, it will be seen that I have devised a quenching apparatuswhich can be used toquenchprogressively heated work that is pass ingthrough-the'same. This apparatus is provided with or throat so formedthat a cone shaped sheet of water willbe forced against the periphery ofthe work at substantially a straight line around its peripheryperpendicular to its axis. Therefore, quenchingwill take placeimmediately and evenly throughout the work. Because of the angle, withrespect to the surface of the work, through which the wateris forced,the water will tend to: hug the surface of the work the: directionyinwhich. it. is. moving. Therefore there will: beno splashing of the waterbackward toward: the: furnace with a consequent spotty quenching of thework and irregular cooling of the same. This apparatus performs thequenching operation rapidly and accurately as the work is moving fromthe furnace through the apparatus.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I haveillustrated and described the best form of embodiment of my inventionnow known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, as set forth in the appendedclaims, and that in some cases certain features of my invention may beused to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

What is claimed is:

1. In a quenching device, the combination of a first annular memberhaving an axially extending portion and a radially extending portion,said radial portion extending inwardly and curving toward an axialdirection to form a substantially conical surface, a second annularmember also having an axially extending portion smaller in diameter thanthe axially extending portion of said first member and a radiallyextending portion, the radially extending portion being received in theaxially extending portion of the first member, said members cooperatingto form an annular chamber, the axially extending portion of said secondmember being provided with means forming a substantially conical surfacesubstantially parallel to said first-mentioned surface whereby a conicalpassage is formed between said surfaces, the surface on said meanscontinuing in a smooth curve radially inward of said first mentionedradial portion until it is substantially axial and terminating in asharp edge, means through which liquid can be introduced into saidchamber to flow through said passage and along said last mentionedsurface into a cylinder or sleeve, and annular baffle means between theentrance for said liquid and the entrance of said passage.

2. The combination of claim 1 including means to adjust said annularmembers axially relative to each other and thereby vary the size of saidpassage.

3. In a quenchin device, the combination of a plurality of annularcooperating parts operative to form an annular chamber, one of saidparts including an inwardly and axially extending curved portionterminating in a sharp edge, said portion forming a substantiallyconical surface, means on the other of said parts having formed thereona substantially conical surface inside and substantially parallel to andopposing said first-mentioned surface, said surfaces defining a conicalpassage extending inwardly of the annu lus from said chamber, theportion of said means forming said second-mentioned surface continuingin a smooth curve radially inward of said first edge until it iscylindrical and coaxial with said annulus and terminating in a sharpedge, and means to adjust said parts axially with respect to each otherto thereby vary the size of said passage.

, 4. The combination of claim 3 including inlet means in one of saidparts through which a quench liquid may be introduced to said chamber,and an annular shield extending between said inlet and the inner end ofsaid passage.

5. In a quenching device, structure including a pair of cooperatingannular members forming an annular chamber having a circular outletadjacent to one end and on the interior thereof, one of said membersincluding means forming a conical surface extending inwardly toward thecenter of said members from one side of said outlet and terminating in asharp edge, the other of said members including means forming a surfaceinside and parallel to said first-mentioned surface, adjacent to theother side of said outlet and continuing radially inward beyond saidedge in a smooth curve until it is cylindrical to form with said firstsurface a conical passage communicating with said outlet, saidlast-mentioned means also terminating in a sharp edge, means forming aninlet in one of said members through which quenching fluid can beintroduced into said chamber to flow through said outlet and passage andalong said inside surface to form a cylinder of fluid, and means toadjust said members axially with respect to each other to vary the sizeof said passage.

6. The combination of claim 5 including an annular shield in saidchamber between said inlet and said opening.

JAMES W. GARRETT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 538,727 Byler May 7, 1895 1,211,277 Bloom Jan. 2, 19171,381,646 Kirgan June 14, 1921 1,643,330 Barord Sept. 27, 1927 1,672,061George June 5, 1928 1,688,705 Gray Oct. 23, 1928 2,194,565 Moss Mar. 26,1940 2,287,825 Postlewaite June 30, 1942 2,340,325 Horrigan Feb. 1, 19442,376,515 Somes May 2, 1945 2,542,237 Dewey Feb. 20, 1951

